The funds will be applied to road reconfiguration, changing a six-legged intersection into a standard 4-way intersection. It is the first and most visible part of a major redevelopment of the 60-acre Warrensville/Van Aken commercial district into a mixed use, downtown destination.

"I was proud to support this important measure that will create approximately 1,200 jobs and revolutionize an important part of our community," said Congresswoman Fudge.

“These funds will help address one of Northeast Ohio’s busiest intersections,” Brown said. “They will help to promote economic development and transform the Warrensville/Van Aken corridor into a prime commercial and residential destination.”

The City also received a $4M safety grant from the Ohio Department of Transportation; the project has been added to the NOACA Transportation Improvement Program for $4.2M in funds; Shaker Heights City Council has authorized $2.3M in matching funds; and the Cuyahoga County Engineer will contribute $500,000. In total, $11.5 M in funds has been secured. The process for seeking the federal appropriation began approximately one year ago.

Shaker Heights Mayor Earl M. Leiken said, “We are deeply grateful to Congresswoman Fudge and Senator Brown for their leadership in securing these funds, which will help launch redevelopment of the Warrensville/Van Aken district. This project, which will ultimately include the updated road pattern, a state of the art transit station, and a short extension of the rapid transit, will serve as a catalyst for economic revitalization in our area.”

A Public Meeting on Thursday, January 21 at 6:30 p.m., at the Stephanie Tubbs Jones Community Building, 3450 Lee Road in Shaker Heights will provide an update on the road and transit components of the project. There will be an opportunity to talk with designers and to contribute ideas and comments.